Wisdom Beyond the Classroom

By Ryan C Lockee

Whether you're a student or haven't been in school for years, learning and growth is a lifelong endeavor. While current school curriculum covers a wide range of subjects that offer a wealth of knowledge, it is lacking in a few key lessons that could add tremendous value to your life. These lessons offer wisdom about yourself: your habits, attitu

• Language: English
• Publisher: Growth & Contribution
• Release date: May 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734818437

Book preview

Acknowlegement

I want to thank you for picking up Wisdom Beyond the Classroom. I’ve spent the last two years putting in a lot of time and energy writing and thinking about it, and I feel grateful to be able to share it with you. I’ve learned from many influential people, and some of their sage advice and ideas have been woven into the story with care. Their quote and name are at the back of the book, in the Quote References section.

I’ve been blessed to have a lot of amazing people in my life and am a better person because of the people I’ve listened to, learned from, and surrounded myself with. A big shout out to my parents, siblings, extended family, friends, teachers, students, coaches, mentors, everyone that played a part in helping this book get published, and of course my beautiful wife and son. I love you and thank you!

Dedication

Whether you’re a current student or haven’t been in school for years, our growth and learning is lifelong, so I dedicate this book to you. My intention is that you will not only find Wisdom Beyond the Classroom enjoyable, but that it will help you on your own path. A path where you have the ability to tap into your potential and inner wisdom by shaping your mind to become your greatest asset and rid yourself of limiting beliefs. May the stories, simple lessons, and words of wisdom add value to your life.

Table of Contents

Acknowlegement

Dedication

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: What’s In It For Me? [Classroom]

Chapter 2: Expand Your Comfort Zone [Auditorium]

Chapter 3: OWWWs, OMMMs, and Ocean Views [Classroom]

Chapter 4: You’re a Visitor [Auditorium]

Chapter 5: Unclutter Your Mind [Classroom]

Chapter 6: The Change Starts with You [Auditorium]

Chapter 7: The Greatest Secret [Classroom]

Chapter 8: 1 in 400 Trillion [Auditorium]

Chapter 9: Everything Is Energy [Classroom]

Chapter 10: Impermanence, Pain, and Suffering [Auditorium]

Chapter 11: Plant and Nurture [Classroom]

Chapter 12: Inner and Outer Reflections [Auditorium]

Chapter 13: A Story That Serves [Classroom]

Chapter 14: Meditation [Auditorium]

Chapter 15: As if It’s Already Happened [Classroom]

Chapter 16: Mindfulness and Displaying Emotional Intelligence [Auditorium]

Chapter 17: You Are More Than Enough [Classroom]

Chapter 18: Visualization [Auditorium]

Chapter 19: Comparing Doesn’t Serve You [Classroom]

Chapter 20: Combining Meditation, Mindfulness, and Visualization [Auditorium]

Chapter 21: Your Habits Define You [Classroom]

Chapter 22: Take Try Out of Your Vocabulary [Auditorium]

Chapter 23: Failure Is Part of Success [Classroom]

Chapter 24: Follow Your Own Path [Auditorium]

Chapter 25: Attitude of Gratitude [Classroom]

Chapter 26: Practice and Share [Auditorium]

Chapter 27: Be Kind [Classroom]

Quote References

About the Author

Introduction

If you look up the definition of school, you’ll find that it’s defined as a place where people, especially young people, are educated. Students are taught how to read and write, along with a variety of subjects that include mathematics, science, history, geography, art, and music. While much of what we learn in school is important, we live in a world that is constantly changing. Acquiring and learning new skills and information will become more important and part of our curriculum, while other subjects, over time, will become less important or obsolete.

What remains constant is that we are human, and having a human experience has its challenges. Being comfortable in your own skin, learning how to manage and control one’s self, shaping your mind to be your greatest asset, along with appreciating and loving yourself is a continual process. It requires guidance and is something that many people never fully embrace or develop.

We’re imperfect, emotional beings with our own experiences, thoughts, beliefs, strengths, abilities, challenges, weaknesses, doubts, and insecurities. Shouldn’t we be taught at an early age and throughout our school years how to: embrace who we are, put thought into the questions we ask ourselves and the attitude we choose, create better habits, and have more control over how we respond to how we feel? I certainly think so and believe that if we were taught more about personal development, it would make being human much easier with increased enjoyment, success and fulfillment. I also believe it would void us of many unwise decisions as well as put an end to a lot of the pain and suffering we cause to ourselves and one another.

As someone that taught various subjects and grade levels in the U.S. as well as internationally, my passion and interest has always been the development of the individual and is the inspiration for this book. Since we’ve all been in school, and because we all take on the roles of teacher and student in various parts of our lives, Wisdom Beyond the Classroom comes to you from the perspectives of a wise teacher and his students, who all teach and learn from each other.

Now, take a deep breath and slowly exhale, you’re about to meet some new characters that want nothing but the best for you.

www.wisdombeyondtheclassroom.com

Chapter 1:

What’s In It For Me?

[Classroom]

Let me ask you a question, class. Have you ever had an assignment or been asked to do something, and you say to yourself, why on earth am I being asked to do this? asked Mr. Ocean.

Almost everyone in the class was nodding their head or said yes.

Or you say to yourself, this doesn't seem very important. When am I ever going to use this in the real world?

A resounding yes was heard throughout the classroom and one of the students shouted, All the time Mr. O!

That's what I thought. Guess what? I thought the same thing when I was your age, and I still think the same thing from time to time, even as an adult!

Mr. Ocean had a passion for teaching and the body language, the facial expressions, the different tones of voice, and the energy he displayed when speaking with his students was a sight to behold. As one of the two 8th grade teachers that had been at Jefferson Middle School for several years, he was a master at capturing and keeping the students' attention, while being able to connect with each of them in the process. He also had great success because he saw the best in his students and had a deep care and concern for their personal development. Far and wide, parents, teachers, and students all considered him a leader and role model.

Let me give you an answer to that question you can use and hold onto whenever this happens. This will change the way you look at things and make a positive impact on your life, said Mr. Ocean.

He paused for a moment.

Not everything you are taught or do in life is completely relevant. This is true when you're young and in school, and it's true when you get older. What you will find extremely useful throughout your life is your attitude and the questions you ask yourself. When you're asked to do something that you don't understand, or something you find unimportant or irritating, such as a homework assignment or perhaps being asked to help out at home, here are three questions you can ask yourself.

He looked around the room, noticing that the students were listening and wanting to know more.

Number one, what can I learn from this? Number two, how can I be completely present with what I'm doing and do it to the best of my ability? Meaning you're not distracted with something else and that you're giving your full attention to what is in front of you. And number three, what kind of attitude would serve me best right now? asked Mr. Ocean.

It takes just as much or more energy and effort to be upset and frustrated as it does to be grateful and enjoy what you're doing. Throughout your life, you will be asked to do things you're not jumping for joy to do, and things will happen that are annoying, but guess what—that's okay. The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but thoughts about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking.

He let that sink in for a moment.

When we struggle with or are frustrated with something, that's where the lessons are, and that's when the learning takes place. Situations like this allow you to pause, take a deep breath, and ask yourself questions that benefit you. Doing this helps you take control of how you want to think, rather than the unhelpful ways you’ve thought in the past. If you feel what I'm talking about, let me get a yep yep, said Mr. Ocean.

Yep yep, said the class.

Good, go ahead and get out your journals to write these questions down. Here's what I want you to write down. At the top of a new page in your journal put, 'What’s in It for Me?’

He paused for a moment.

Below your heading, write this down … three questions to ask myself when I feel like this. Number one, what can I learn from this? Number two, how can I be completely present and do this to the best of my ability? Number three, what attitude would serve me best right now?

He gave the students enough time to write and repeated the questions one more time for them.

Let me ask you a question class, when you've been asked to do something you don't want to do, what kind of thoughts run through your mind?

About half of the students raised their hands.

Niyah, said Mr. Ocean, pointing in her direction.

This is stupid, said Niyah.

Yep, I've thought that. Someone else? he said, pointing to a different student.

This sucks! exclaimed Kobe.

The class laughed.

Oh, I've thought that too. And one more, said Mr. Ocean, pointing to a different student.

I hate this, said Andre.

Yep, that too. So, we've got, this is stupid, this sucks, and I hate this. Does that pretty much sum up what we've thought when asked to do something that doesn't make any sense to us?

Yes, said the class.

What was that? I couldn't hear you.

Yes! yelled the class even louder.

Oh okay, I heard you that time, said Mr. Ocean.

The students laughed.

I'm guessing that when you have thoughts go through your mind like, this is stupid, this sucks, and I hate this, you're not at your best. And chances are, you'll likely be in a crummy mood throughout the task and maybe longer. And you're probably not going to do things to the best of your ability. Is that a fair assumption? he asked.

Yes, said the students.

Did you know that you’re actually smarter when you’re in a positive frame of mind than if you’re not? It’s true, this has been studied and proven. Your brain in a positive frame of mind is more productive, can work longer, sees more possibilities, makes better decisions, and will outperform your neutral, negative, or stressed brain. Incredible! Now you just have to remember that and keep it in mind, especially when you’re in a lousy mood.

Mr. Ocean continued, What if, instead of defaulting to negative thinking when you're asked to do something you don't understand, or when something arises in life that you don't like, you ask our three new questions instead? What then? Do you think that would change things?

Some of the students nodded their heads, and a few said yes.

It's easy for us to automatically think a certain way when something happens that we don't agree with or like. It’s as if our thoughts take over without asking for our input. Before you know it, we've gone down the rabbit hole to negative thinking, and it can take some time before we climb back out. That's why it's a good idea to instead pause, take a deep breath, and think of questions to ask yourself that benefit you. Doing so will keep you in control, rather than your thoughts and emotions running the show, said Mr. Ocean.

He took a sip of water.

Class, let's practice this for a moment. I want you to think of a time you were asked to do something that seemed unimportant or something you thought you'd never use in the real world.

He paused for a moment.

Okay, did you think of one? I'm sure some of you thought of a few. Now that you have your example, I want you to think of how you responded or what you thought of, and based on your mindset, how you went about doing the task.

The students all looked deep in thought.

Now, I want you to think of being asked to do that same thing. Only this time, I want you to imagine yourself pausing, taking a deep breath, and then asking yourself our three questions. What can I learn from this? How can I be completely present and do this to the best of my ability? What attitude would serve me best right now? said Mr. Ocean.

He paused, gave the students some time to think about this, and then continued after about thirty seconds.

So, what did we come up with after thinking of the three questions? Were you able to see in your mind the difference between the two scenarios? Does anyone want to share?

About one third of the students raised their hands.

Go ahead, Luke.

"I pictured myself in both situations, and in